Adventurous Computing (Posts about cnc)https://blog.cyplo.net/enMon, 07 Aug 2017 15:49:23 GMTNikola (getnikola.com)http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssTools: precision test indicator holderhttps://blog.cyplo.net/posts/2015/10/17/tools-indicator-holder.htmlCyryl Płotnicki<div><p>This is the second part in the series of the tools I use. Tools that are
surprisingly useful, tools that are not that obvious to find. Check out
the first part
<a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/2015/03/28/tools-pcb-holder/">here</a>. Today:
how to calibrate the CNC axis without actually cutting anything ? Use a
test indicator ! How to hold the meter steady though, ? Attach it to the
frame of your router using the power of magnets ! Sample item on Amazon
<a class="reference external" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OZA71H6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B00OZA71H6&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=adventucomput-20&amp;linkId=6ZJKCJHMA2YON4LY">here</a>
[affiliate link warning]</p>
<p><a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_1389.jpg"><img alt="image0" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_1389-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_1391.jpg"><img alt="image1" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_1391-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_1390.jpg"><img alt="image2" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/IMG_1390-150x150.jpg"></a></p>
<p>Despite being attached to the frame by its back instead of the bottom it
still holds beautifully.</p></div>cncgaugemeterroutertoolshttps://blog.cyplo.net/posts/2015/10/17/tools-indicator-holder.htmlSat, 17 Oct 2015 13:46:36 GMTMy CNC machining workflowhttps://blog.cyplo.net/posts/2015/05/28/cnc-workflow.htmlCyryl Płotnicki<div><p>Hello ! Today we'll talk about driving CNC machines, toolpaths and
Debian, so stay tuned ! I have a separate old PC for driving the CNC
machine via parallel port. This is, as they say, the Only Proper Way and
It Was Always Like That. I'm thinking about changing this to
usb+<a class="reference external" href="https://github.com/grbl/grbl">grbl</a> in the future then ;) Up
till now, my workflow went as follows;</p>
<ul class="simple">
<li>Do the research and drawing/parts modeling in FreeCad, on my main workstation</li>
<li>Export to e.g. DXF</li>
<li>Import in HeeksCad</li>
<li>Design machining operations, export gcode</li>
<li>Copy gcode to a network drive</li>
<li>Switch the monitor and keyboard to the one of the old PC</li>
<li>Open gcode in LinuxCNC and go</li>
</ul>
<p>What happens if it's not perfect at first try though ?! Most commonly the issue is with the
toolpath, like I want to change feeds or speeds or depth of cut, rarely
it is with the part itself, fortunately. It may have something to do
with the fact that I'm mostly working with other people's parts for now
;) Anyway, to do any correction I need to switch back to the main
workstation, correct in Heeks, re-export to the network drive and switch
back, reimport. Not very annoying but not very convenient either. But
wait. What if...I install Heeks on the old PC ?! It's running
<a class="reference external" href="http://linuxcnc.org/">LinuxCNC</a> realtime distro, which is based on
Debian wheezy. Heeks packages are available prepackaged for Ubuntu only.
With the help of the
<a class="reference external" href="https://code.google.com/p/heekscad/wiki/BuildDebianPackages">documentation</a>
and the comments there and in other corners of the internet I was able
to get this little script done:</p>
<pre class="code bash"><a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-1"></a><span class="ch">#!/bin/bash</span>
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-2"></a><span class="nb">set</span> -e
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-3"></a><span class="nb">set</span> -v
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-4"></a>
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-5"></a>sudo apt-get update
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-6"></a>sudo apt-get -y install liboce-visualization-dev libwxgtk2.8-dev libgtkglext1-dev python-dev build-essential bzr git libboost-dev libboost-python-dev subversion debhelper cmake liboce-ocaf2 liboce-ocaf-dev oce-draw
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-7"></a>mkdir heeks_build
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-8"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> heeks_build
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-9"></a>svn checkout http://libarea.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ libarea
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-10"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> libarea
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-11"></a>dpkg-buildpackage -b -us -uc
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-12"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> ..
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-13"></a>sudo dpkg -i libarea*.deb python-area*.deb
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-14"></a>svn checkout http://heekscad.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ heekscad
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-15"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> heekscad
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-16"></a>dpkg-buildpackage -b -us -uc
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-17"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> ..
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-18"></a>sudo dpkg -i *heeks*.deb
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-19"></a>svn checkout http://heekscnc.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/ heekscnc
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-20"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> heekscnc
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-21"></a>dpkg-buildpackage -b -us -uc
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-22"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> ..
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-23"></a>git clone https://github.com/aewallin/opencamlib.git
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-24"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> opencamlib
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-25"></a>bzr branch lp:~neomilium/opencamlib/packaging debian
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-26"></a>dpkg-buildpackage -b -us -uc
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-27"></a><span class="nb">cd</span> ..
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-28"></a>sudo dpkg -i python-ocl*.deb
<a name="rest_code_6944f6c614f14a0db2cf579c0c6717ae-29"></a>sudo dpkg -i heekscnc*.deb
</pre><p>Run this on your LinuxCNC machine and that's it. It will download and
build all the dependencies and Heeks CAD and CAM packages. This way, my
current workflow goes more like this:</p>
<ul class="simple">
<li>Do the research and drawing/parts modeling in FreeCad, on my main workstation</li>
<li>Export to e.g. DXF to a network drive</li>
<li>Switch the monitor and keyboard to the one of the old PC</li>
<li>Import in HeeksCad</li>
<li>Design machining operations, export gcode</li>
<li>Open gcode in LinuxCNC and go</li>
<li>Repeat last 2 steps if necessary - no machine switching</li>
</ul></div>cncdebiangrblheeksheekscadheekscnclinuxlinuxcncmachiningwheezyhttps://blog.cyplo.net/posts/2015/05/28/cnc-workflow.htmlThu, 28 May 2015 19:01:33 GMTCNC router arriveshttps://blog.cyplo.net/posts/2015/04/26/cnc-router-arrives.htmlCyryl Płotnicki<div><p>After 2 months of waiting - my CNC router arrives. 8 weeks lead time
they said - 7 weeks and 4 days it was ! Who are they ?
<a class="reference external" href="http://tanie-cnc.pl/">TanieCNC</a> people [CheapCNC in Polish :].
Although it may look like they don't know how to make websites AND their
name does not instill a lot of confidence - but girl, they certainly
know how to weld and make precise machinery ! The size of the package
caught me off guard, I've spent an hour disassembling the crate in full
sun. After that I wasn't able to get it through the stairs myself,
fortunately a friendly neighbour gave me their pair of hands. Lifting
the machine by 2 people is okay, it's still not lightweight, but
bearable. Putting it on the table was a different affair entirely.
Careful not to damage anything, especially the motor assemblies - we've
put it on a improptu wood ramp. Using heavy duty straps, we've lifted it
up little by little. Then some inspection - the quality is really
superb, especially of the metal frame ! After that I got an old PC with
Windows XP and parallel port running Mach3 software - I wanted to set it
up as in any other shop at start. Later on I'm planning on moving to
LinuxCNC and then gradually off parallel port on to a USB stack,
something more like an arduino parsing gcode and driving motors instead
of relying of the accurate timing of the PC. TODOs:</p>
<ul class="simple">
<li>add an MDF bed layer on top of existing bed</li>
<li>get better clamps</li>
<li>get more router bits</li>
<li>get a vacuum attachment for the spindle</li>
<li>move to LinuxCNC</li>
<li>move off parallel-port driving</li>
</ul>
<p><a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_20150424_160003-e1430045532334.jpg"><img alt="image0" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_20150424_160003-e1430045532334-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_20150424_161735-e1430045547777.jpg"><img alt="image1" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_20150424_161735-e1430045547777-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1254.jpg"><img alt="image2" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1254-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1255.jpg"><img alt="image3" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1255-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1257.jpg"><img alt="image4" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1257-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1261.jpg"><img alt="image5" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1261-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1262.jpg"><img alt="image6" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1262-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1263.jpg"><img alt="image7" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1263-150x150.jpg"></a>
<a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1264.jpg"><img alt="image8" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1264-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1266.jpg"><img alt="image9" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1266-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1267-e1430045605467.jpg"><img alt="image10" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1267-e1430045605467-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1268.jpg"><img alt="image11" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1268-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1270.jpg"><img alt="image12" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1270-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1272.jpg"><img alt="image13" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1272-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1273-e1430045590746.jpg"><img alt="image14" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1273-e1430045590746-150x150.jpg"></a>
<a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1274-e1430045623221.jpg"><img alt="image15" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1274-e1430045623221-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1276-e1430045638798.jpg"><img alt="image16" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1276-e1430045638798-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1277.jpg"><img alt="image17" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1277-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1278.jpg"><img alt="image18" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1278-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1282.jpg"><img alt="image19" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1282-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1279.jpg"><img alt="image20" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1279-150x150.jpg"></a> <a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1280.jpg"><img alt="image21" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1280-150x150.jpg"></a>
<a class="reference external" href="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1281.jpg"><img alt="image22" src="https://blog.cyplo.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/IMG_1281-150x150.jpg"></a></p></div>cncrouterhttps://blog.cyplo.net/posts/2015/04/26/cnc-router-arrives.htmlSun, 26 Apr 2015 13:17:05 GMT